Lindee Walker

Despite the empty storefronts that punctuate parts of town, Williston’s business community is far from dormant.

“The coolest part about Mom Walk is … meeting moms out in the wild,” Griffin said. “We met at the Mom Walk, now our kids are becoming friends, we do life together.”

Stargazers across Gainesville joined millions of people worldwide Saturday night to celebrate International Observe the Moon Night. The event was celebrated in over 120 countries as part of NASA’s initiative to unite people across the globe. In Gainesville, that celebration was held at Santa Fe College.

At oddities shops, customers may pick up anything from a bleached skull to a preserved puppy suspended in fluid to a painting featuring iridescent, pinned beetles.The growing fascination with the unusual has sparked a larger conversation about sustainability and where the items come from.